Surgical glove systems and method of using the same

ABSTRACT

A surgical system including one or two surgical gloves having support systems such as, but not limited to, lights, electrical cautery, suction, and irrigation, attached to fingers of the surgical glove. The support systems may be controlled with switches positioned on the fingers upon which each support system is positioned. The switches may be operable with the thumb on the human hand upon which the surgical glove is attached. The system may also include (i) a safety switch coupled to the glove for controlling the first surgical system so that the first surgical system will not operate unless both the first switch and the safety switch are actuated, or (ii) a shunt for controlling fluid flow between the first and second conduits. Different support systems may be included in each glove for a bilateral system or may be combined into a single glove system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/450,958, filed Mar. 19, 2012, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/081,345 filed, Apr. 6, 2011, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,182,479, which is a continuation application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/591,305 filed Nov. 1, 2006, which issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,648, which is continuation-in-part application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/335,050, filed Jan. 19, 2006, whichissued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,951,145 and this application claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/539,350, entitled “Surgical GloveSystems and Methods of Making the Same,” filed Sep. 26, 2011, theentireties of which are all incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed generally to surgical systems, and moreparticularly to surgical systems for providing support to a surgeonduring surgery.

BACKGROUND

The majority of conventional surgical instruments are hand-held andhand, foot or remotely operated. Surgical instruments such as electricalcautery, suction, and hand-held lights typically include electricalsupply cords, fiber optic cords, or conduits that are held in place on asurgical table by fastening the cords with clamps to, a surgical topdrape positioned on top of the patient. The cords and conduits arearranged on the surgical field so that they can be accessed easily bysurgeons, assistants, or nurses. Unfortunately, as well intention andorganized as the setup may be, the cords and conduits invariably becomeentangled during the course of a procedure, thereby creating frequentfrustration and time delay. Once entangled, instruments become moredifficult to easily reach onto pass between surgeons. Entanglement ofinstrument wire and cords also shortens the effective working length ofthe instruments and further interferes with their accurate andunobstructed use.

Often times, the electrical cautery or suction supply is accidentallydropped from the surgical field onto the floor, thereby compromisingtheir sterility and requiring replacement. This occurs more frequentlywith shower curtains drapes and during the course of long, complexprocedures.

Typically, irrigation supplies are stored on a table remote from thesurgical field and are handed to the surgeon by a scrub nurse within abulb syringe, or other container, when requested. Unfortunately, duringa procedure, the scrub nurse may be occupied for a variety of reasonsand have difficulty providing the irrigation in a timely fashion. Forexample, a scrub nurse is commonly asked to hold a retractor, or otherinstrument in the surgical field, and is not available to easily turnaround and grab the irrigation when needed.

More recently, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,931,648, 7,951,145 and 8,182,479 toSchneider (“Schneider patents”) disclosed surgical systems that includea glove with multiple surgical support systems attached thereto.However, there are still challenges to overcome with these systems,including instances where the suction line becomes clogged, a surgicalinstrument fires accidentally, or conventional surgical systems need tobe used in addition to the gloves described in the Schneider patents.Thus, there is a great need for more efficient, user-friendly systemsthat eliminate entanglement reliably, that allow for simultaneous useand activation of more than one integral surgical support system, andfurther avoids the problems set forth herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a surgical system that includes one or moresurgical gloves having support systems such as, but not limited to, oneor more light sources, an electrical cautery device, a suction source,and an irrigation supply. The surgical system may also include asurgical gown. Each surgical glove may include one or more of the lightsources, electrical cautery devices, suction sources, and irrigationsources positioned on fingers of the surgical glove. The support systemsmay be controlled with switches positioned on the fingers upon whicheach support system is positioned. The switches may be operable with thethumb of the human hand wearing the surgical glove. The surgical systemmay also include a surgical gown having a connection system forattaching support conduit supporting the support systems to the surgicalgown. The surgical system enables a surgeon to have a plurality ofsupport systems immediately available and eliminates entanglementproblems endemic with conventional systems. The support systems may beattached to the surgical glove(s) in various configurations to optimizethe configuration for a surgeon such that the systems are located forfacility of use and in a position where the systems are unlikely toobstruct or conflict with the general use of the surgeon's hand or theuse of surgical instruments, and in a manner which optimizes thesimultaneous, synergistic use of more than one support system.

The support systems, including, but not limited to, light sources,electrical cautery devices, suction sources, and irrigation sources, maybe coupled to distal, volar, radial, ulnar or dorsal surface locationsof the fingers of the surgical glove(s). In particular, in oneembodiment, the light source may be coupled to a distal, dorsal surfaceof the glove's index or long finger, or both. The electrical cauterydevice may be coupled to a distal, volar end of the glove's indexfinger. The suction source may be coupled to a distal, volar radial endof the glove's long finger. The irrigation source may be coupled to adistal, volar radial end of the glove's little finger.

The support systems may be controlled with support control switchesadapted for each support system. The support switches may be attached tothe fingers of the glove upon which the support system is attached andmay be easily activated using the thumb on the same hand. For instance,the electrical cautery switch may be positioned on the finger upon whichthe electrical cautery is attached. The electrical cautery switch may bepositioned on the radial aspect of the finger of the glove.

The surgical system can also include a safety switch for controlling acutting system so that the cutting system will not operate unless thesafety switch and either the cutting or coagulating switch are actuated.The safety switch can be attached to the glove or a complementarysurgical gown and positioned such that the safety switch will not beactuated except with the hand opposite that wearing the glove.

The surgical system can also include a shunt for controlling fluid flowbetween an irrigation conduit and a suction conduit. The shunt can beattached to the glove or a complementary surgical gown.

The surgical system can also include a safety switch for controlling acutting system so that the cutting system will not operate unless boththe cutting or coagulating switch and the safety switch are actuated.The safety switch can be attached to the glove or a complementarysurgical gown and positioned such that the safety switch cannot beactuated except with the hand opposite that wearing the glove.Alternately, the safety switch can be positioned on an ulnar surface ofthe finger of the glove to which the cutting system is coupled and canbe actuated by the finger located adjacent to the safety switch (e.g., asafety switch on the ulnar side of, the index finger can be actuated bythe long finger).

The surgical system can also include a shunt for controlling fluid flowbetween an irrigation conduit and a suction conduit. The shunt can beattached to the glove or a complementary surgical gown. The shunt can beused to clean out obstructions in the suction conduit using thepressurized liquid (e.g., saline) from the irrigation conduit.

The surgical system may also include a surgical gown formed from a bodyconfigured to fit on a human torso and first and second sleeves adaptedto extend from a shoulder to a wrist portion. The surgical gown mayinclude a connection system configured to attach support conduits to thesurgical gown. The surgical gown, in at least one embodiment, mayinclude support control switches that may be attached to any of thesupport systems.

In one embodiment, the support conduits extend from the dorsal wristarea of the surgical glove(s) along the lateral or ulnar aspect of thesurgeon's arm(s), toward the shoulder, then posteriorly around theshoulder and finally caudally down the surgeon's back, where they can bedirectly connected to the appropriate connections. In an alternativeembodiment, the support conduits may extend along medial or radialaspects of the arms, into the axilla of the shoulder, then over thelower region of the scapula and caudally down the surgeon's back. In thefirst embodiment, the connection system may include attachment deviceson lateral aspects of the surgical gown corresponding to a forearm,upper arm, lateral shoulder, scapular, and lower lateral back areas ofthe surgical gown to retain support conduits extending from the surgicalglove, along an arm, over a shoulder, and along a back. The attachmentdevices effectively, visually and physically, eliminate the independentpresence of electrical wires, conduits, and other support conduits, inthe surgical field. In addition, the attachment devices assist inpreventing accidental entanglement or contamination of these entitieswithout inhibiting the range of motion of a surgeon's arm or shoulder.

The invention may also be directed to a method of performing a surgicalprocedure in which the need to retrieve surgical implements thatbeforehand were rested on the surgical field is eliminated. Inparticular, the method may include attaching at least one surgicalsystem to a glove worn by a person performing the surgical procedurebefore commencing the surgical procedure. The person conducting thesurgical procedure may be, but is not limited to being, a surgeon orother appropriate person. At least one surgical instrument may beattached to the first surgical system such that the at least onesurgical instrument extends proximate to a distal end of a finger of theglove to which the first surgical system is attached. The first surgicalsystem may remain attached to the person throughout the surgicalprocedure eliminating need for a surgical implement assistant. Forinstance, the surgeon need not rest instruments on the surgical fieldand constantly pick up the instruments or request the instruments froman assistant. Rather, the instruments may remain attached to the surgeonthroughout the duration of the surgery. Such a method enables a surgeonto work more independently and thus maintain focus on the surgicalprocedure.

These and other embodiments are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthe specification, illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosedinvention and, together with the description, disclose the principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a dorsal view of a surgical system as described herein,including a right-handed glove and a shunt coupled to a sleeve of asurgical gown and a safety switch attached to a dorsal surface of theglove.

FIG. 2 is a dorsal view of a surgical system as described herein,including a right-handed glove with a shunt coupled thereto and a safetyswitch attached to a dorsal surface of the glove.

FIG. 3 is a volar view of the surgical system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the surgical glove shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a hand positioned to actuate the light sourceswitch positioned on an ulnar surface of the long finger.

FIG. 6 is a side, perspective view of a surgeon wearing the surgicalsystem shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a dorsal view of a surgical system as described herein,including a right-handed glove with a shunt coupled thereto and a safetyswitch coupled to an ulnar surface of the index finger.

FIG. 8 is a volar view of the surgical system shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9A is a front view and 9B a side view of the surgical glove ofFIGS. 7 & 8 in which the electrical cautery is positioned to be used.

FIG. 10A is a volar view of a right-handed glove that can be part of abilateral surgical system, and FIG. 10B is a dorsal view of the sameright-handed glove.

FIG. 11A is a volar view of a left-handed glove that can be part of abilateral surgical system, and FIG. 11B is a dorsal view of the sameleft-handed glove.

FIG. 12 is a dorsal view of a shunt coupled to the left sleeve of asurgical gown for use in connection with the left-handed glove of FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of a surgical gown for use in connection with abilateral surgical system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-13, this invention is directed to surgical systems10 that include one or more surgical gloves 12, 13 having supportsystems 14 such as, but not limited to, one or more lights 16,electrical cautery 18, suction 20 and irrigation 22. The surgical glove12, 13 may include one or more of the lights 16, electrical cautery 18,suction 20 and irrigation 22 positioned on distal ends 24 of fingers 26of the surgical gloves 12, 13. The support systems 14 may be controlledwith switches (e.g., 48, 56, 58, 62, 64, 70 and 140) positioned on thefingers of the glove 12, 13 upon which each support system 14 ispositioned. The switches may be operable with the thumb of the humanhand to which the surgical glove 12, 13 is attached. The surgical system10 may also include a surgical gown 30 having a connection system 32 forattaching support conduit 34 of the support systems 14 to the surgicalgown 30. The surgical system 10 enables a surgeon to have a plurality ofsupport systems 14 immediately available and reduces entanglementproblems endemic with conventional systems.

Although the description refers to both surgical gloves 12, 13 andsurgical glove 12, it should be understood that it is intended that thesurgical glove 12 or gloves 12, 13 described herein can be used as partof a single glove surgical system 10 or as part of a two-glove bilateralsurgical system 10, and that any surgical support system 14 attached toone glove 12, 13 could be attached to the other glove 13, 12 in asimilar orientation.

As shown in the Figures, the surgical glove 12 may be configured to fiton a human hand. The surgical glove 12 may be configured to fit on aright hand or a left hand. The surgical glove 12 may be formed from anyappropriate flexible and/or elastomeric material such as, but notlimited to, latex and non-latex materials (e.g., nitrile, isoprene,neoprene). The surgical glove 12 may be disposable or reusable. Thesurgical glove 12 may also include antibacterial agents, such as acoating or other appropriate applications. The glove 12, 13 may be ableto be sterilized with conventional techniques. The glove 12, 13 may beusable to be sterilized with conventional techniques.

The surgical gloves 12, 13 may include one or more support systems 14,such as, but not limited to, one or more lights 16, electrical cautery18, suction 20 and irrigation 22. The support systems 14 may be attachedto the surgical glove 12 in numerous configurations to optimize theconfiguration for a surgeon such that the systems 14 are located forfacility of use and in a position where the systems 14 are unlikely toobstruct or conflict with the general use of the surgeon's hand or theuse of surgical instruments. In at least one embodiment, the supportsystems 14 are integrally formed with the surgical glove 12. The supportsystems 14 may be nonremovably attached to the glove 12 such that thesupport systems 14 may remain proximate to the surgeon's hand and distalto the surgeon's wrist thereby eliminating the need for the surgeon toretrieve the implement from resting on a surgical field. In otherembodiments, the support systems 14 may be removably attached to thesurgical glove 12. In yet another embodiment, the support systems 14 maybe positioned between layers of material forming the surgical glove 12.The support systems 14 may be attached to internal or external aspectsof the surgical glove 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1-13, the surgical system 10 can include a surgicalglove 12 configured to be removably attached to a human hand. The glove12 can include first and second surgical systems 14 attached to theglove 12, wherein the first surgical system 14 comprises a firstsurgical instrument 17 and a first conduit 15, and the second surgicalsystem 14 comprises a second surgical instrument 17 and a second conduit15.

Each of the first and second surgical systems 14 can be attached to anindex finger, a long finger or a little finger of the surgical glove 12.In contrast, as shown in the Figures, the thumb and the ring finger ofthe surgical glove 12 can be free of all surgical systems 14. The thumband ring fingers are often used to manipulate surgical clamps during aprocedure. Thus, this feature has the advantage that it allows a surgeonto wear the surgical glove through an entire procedure while leaving thethumb and ring finger free to manipulate surgical clamps.

The surgical systems 14 can also include first and second switches (e.g.48, 56, 58, 62, 64 and 70) attached to the glove 12 for controlling thefirst and second surgical systems 14, respectively. The first and secondswitches can be attached to fingers of the glove 12 to which the firstand second surgical systems 14 are attached, respectively. The first andsecond switches can be operable by a thumb of a human hand wearing theglove 12. The positioning of the switches (e.g., 48, 56, 58, 62, 64, 70and 140) and surgical systems 14 can be as described herein.

The surgical systems 14 can also include (i) a safety switch 140attached to the glove 12 for controlling the first surgical system 14 sothat said first surgical system 14 will not operate unless both saidfirst switch 28 and the safety switch 140 are actuated, or (ii) a shunt142 for controlling fluid flow between the first and second conduits(e.g., 60 and 68). As shown in the Figures, the surgical system 14 caninclude one or more additional surgical systems 14 and can include botha safety switch 140 and a shunt 142.

The benefits of a safety switch 140 can be particularly important in thesurgical gloves 12 with integrated surgical systems 14 described herein.For example, if the cutting and cauterizing device 18 described hereinaccidentally fires, it can cause serious injury to the patient, thesurgeon or other operating room personnel. Thus, it is important thatthe safety switch 140 is positioned where it is unlikely the primarycontrol switch (e.g., 48, 56, 58, 62, 64 or 70) for the surgical system14 and the safety switch 140 would be accidentally actuatedsimultaneous. FIGS. 1-4 show an exemplary glove 12 that requires twohands to actuate the cutting and cauterizing device 18; while FIGS. 7-9show a glove 12 that requires a specific, unnatural finger positioning(see, e.g., FIG. 9) to actuate both the primary control switch (e.g., 56or 58) and the safety switch (e.g., 140) simultaneously.

The shunt 142 can also be particularly important for the surgical glovesdescribed herein, it is common for suction lines, especially smallerdiameter suction lines, to become clogged during a surgical procedure.This can cause delays during a procedure or require the preparation anduse of multiple suction lines during a procedure so one suction line canbe used while an obstruction is being cleared from another. This is asignificant problem when the suction line is integrated into thesurgeon's glove. However, in the gloves described herein, the shunt 142enables the surgeon to use the irrigation line 68, 69 to clear theobstruction in the suction line 60, 61 quickly and without removing theglove 12. Thus, the presence of the shunt 142 is a substantialimprovement over prior art devices, such as those described in theSchneider patents.

The switches (e.g., 48, 56, 58, 62, 64, 70 and 140) described herein canbe appropriate switches, such as, but not limited to depression actuatedswitches, ports (e.g., 64), valves (e.g., in some examples, 62 and 70can independently be valves), or other appropriate switches. Theswitches can be sized and positioned such that inadvertent activation byan adjacent finger or by bumping the hand on an object is unlikely.

The surgical system 10 can also include a surgical gown 30 that includesa support system comprising first and second support conduits 34 forcoupling to the first and second conduits 15 of the surgical glove 12,respectively. The first and second support conduits 34 can be attachedto the first sleeve 76 of the gown 30 and can terminate in supportconnectors 149.

The first and second surgical systems 14 can include at least oneirrigation port 22 and at least one suction port 20, respectively, andthe surgical system 10 can include a shunt 142 for controlling fluidflow between the irrigation conduit 68 and the suction conduit 60. Theshunt 142 can be used to direct the flow of fluid from the irrigationconduit 68 to the suction line 60, 61. The shunt 142 can also be used todirect the flow of fluid toward the suction port 22, away from thesuction port 22, or both, either simultaneously or alternately. Asdescribed above, this can be particularly useful for clearing debris,such as tissue, from the suction system (e.g., 22, 60 & 61) whether thedebris is located upstream or downstream of the shunt.

The shunt 142 can include first and second T-valves 144, 146 in fluidcommunication with the irrigation conduit 68 and the suction conduit 60,respectively. The first T-valve 144 can be in fluid communication withthe second T-valve 146. As shown in FIG. 1, a first portion of the shunt(e.g., 144) can be in-line with the irrigation support conduit 69 and asecond portion of the shunt (e.g., 146) can be in-line with the suctionsupport conduit 61. Alternately, as shown in FIG. 2, a first portion ofthe shunt (e.g., 144) can be in-line with the irrigation conduit 68 anda second portion of the shunt (e.g., 146) can be in-line with thesuction conduit 60.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the surgical glove 12 can include light sources16, an electrocautery device 18, a suction port 20, and an irrigationport 22. As shown in the gloves of FIGS. 1-4, a first light source 16can be located on a distal portion of a long finger and a light conduit42 can run along an ulnar portion of the long finger onto a dorsalportion 150 of the metacarpals (e.g., between the third and fourthmetacarpals). Similarly, a second light source 16 can be located on adistal portion of an index finger and a light conduit 42 can run alongan ulnar portion of the index finger onto a dorsal portion 150 of themetacarpals (e.g., between the second and third metacarpals). The firstand second light source control switches 48 can be attached to an ulnarportion of the finger of the glove to which the first and second lightsources, respectively, are attached.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-8, an electrocautery device 18 can becoupled to a distal or distal, volar 152 portion of the index finger.The electrocautery conduit 52 can run from the electrocautery device 18along a radial portion of the index finger and then onto a dorsalportion 150 of the metacarpals (e.g., along a radial-dorsal portion of asecond metacarpal). A cutting switch 56 and a coagulating switch 58 canbe coupled to the electrocautery conduit 52 and positioned along aradial surface of the index finger such that the cutting and coagulatingswitches 56, 58 can be actuated by a thumb of the hand to which thesurgical glove 12 is attached. As used herein, “electrocautery device”is used broadly and is intended to include cutting, and cautery sourcessuch as, but not limited to, electrical cautery sources, ultrasoniccutting surgical devices, and ultrasonic coagulating surgical devices.

As shown in FIG. 3, a heat shield 80 can be coupled to the glove andpositioned between the user's hand and the electrocautery tip 18. Thispositioning can be adapted to prevent injury to the user aid/or damageto the glove. The heat shield 80 can be separate from, or coupled to,the electrocautery tip 18. The heat shield 80 can be embedded in theglove 12, 13. As will be appreciated, the heat shield 80 can beincorporated into any of the gloves 12, 13 described herein where ancutting tip 18 is utilized.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 & 4, a safety switch 140 can be coupled to theelectrocautery conduit 52 and positioned such that none of the fingersof the hand wearing the surgical glove 12 can actuate the safety switch140. For example, the safety switch 140 can be positioned along a dorsalaspect 150 of the glove 12 covering the metacarpals of a hand wearingthe glove. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 & 4, the safety switch 140 can beattached to the surgical glove 12 proximate a dorso-radial aspect of asecond metacarpal of a human hand wearing the surgical glove 12.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the safety switch 140 can be coupled to thesafety branch 53 of the electrocautery conduit 52 and positioned on anulnar aspect of the finger to which the electrocautery system 18 iscoupled. In some devices, such as that shown in FIGS. 7-9, the safetyswitch 140 can be located on an unlar aspect of the index finger of theglove 12. For example, the safety switch 140 can be coupled to a portionof the glove that would cover an ulnar aspect of the intermediate ordistal phalanx of the index finger.

The electrocautery system 18 can be designed such that theelectrocautery device 18 cannot be activated unless both the safetyswitch 140 and the appropriate switch (56 or 58, respectively) areactuated. In the gloves of FIGS. 1, 2 & 4, the safety switch 140 willgenerally be actuated using the thumb of the opposing hand. Because ofthe positioning of the safety switch 140, activation of theelectrocautery device 18 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 & 4 requires two hands,which greatly reduced or eliminates the potential for injury to thepatient, the surgeon or other operating room personnel.

In contrast, FIGS. 7-9 show a glove 12 where the user can actuate theelectrocautery device 18 using one hand. In particular, as shown in FIG.9, one of the primary electrocautery switches 58, 58 can be actuatedwith the thumb (e.g., a volar aspect) and the safety switch 140 can beactuated with a radial aspect of the long finger. This configuration hasthe added benefit of stabilizing the index finger during cutting orcoagulation procedures because the index finger is sandwiched betweenthe thumb and the long finger when the buttons (56/58 and 140) areactuated.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-9, a suction port 20 can be coupled to adistal or distal, radial portion of the long finger. The suction conduit60 can run from the suction port 20 along a radial aspect of the longfinger and then onto a dorsal portion 150 of the metacarpals (e.g.,along a dorsal portion between the second and third metacarpals). Asuction port control switch 62 and a suction control port 64 can beprovided along the suction conduit 60. The suction port control switch62 and the suction control port 64 can be positioned along a radialsurface of the long finger such that the suction port control switch 62and the suction control port 64 can be actuated by a thumb of the handto which the surgical glove 12 is attached.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-9, an irrigation port 22 can be coupled to adistal or distal, radial portion of the little finger. The irrigationconduit 68 can run from the irrigation port 22 along a radial portion ofthe little finger and then onto a dorsal portion 150 of the metacarpals(e.g., along a dorsal portion on the radial or ulnar side of the fifthmetacarpal). An irrigation control switch 70 can be provided along theirrigation conduit 68. The irrigation control switch 70 can bepositioned along a radial surface of the little finger such that theirrigation control switch 70 can be actuated by a thumb of the hand towhich the surgical clove 12 is attached.

The irrigation control switch 70 may be formed from a control valvehaving a lever 72, as shown in FIG. 10, usable to turn the irrigation onand off. The lever 72 may be moved from a 3:00 position to a 6:00position to turn irrigation on and vice versa to turn irrigation off.The irrigation control switch 70 may be sized and positioned such thatinadvertent activation by an adjacent finger is unlikely. Typically,such inadvertent activation is unlikely due to the distance createdbetween adjacent fingers by the knuckles, and the need to use the thumbto control the lever 72.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the surgical glove can also include additionaldiscrete elements. The additional discrete elements can be embedded inthe surgical glove. As used herein “discrete element” refers to a deviceor object attached to the surgical glove that does not include a conduitterminating in a terminal interconnect 148 (e.g., does not require asupport conduit). Discrete elements must be adapted to support asurgical procedure in some form and do not include fillers or debrisembedded within the material forming the glove. Exemplary, discreteelements include, but are not limited to, a heat shield, a reinforcingelement, a battery operated light source, a reflective element, atemperature strip, and a resistance thermometer.

FIGS. 1-3 show reinforcing elements 82 and 86 on the distal volar anddistal dorsal portions of the thumb, respectively. The reinforcingelements (e.g., a mesh) can be designed to prevent tears to the glovewhen the thumb actuates the various switches (e.g., 48, 65, 58, 62, 64and 70) or is used to manipulate or grasp other instruments.

In addition, discrete element 84 is positioned on a distal, volarportion of the long finger. This discrete element 84 can provide areinforcing function or can provide an independent function, such asbeing a resistance thermometer or a temperature strip.

Reflective elements 88, 90 can be positioned proximate the light sources16. As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the reflective elements 88, 90 can bepositioned at distal ends of the index and long fingers, respectively.The reflective element(s) 88, 90 can be adapted for directing lightemitted from the light source(s) 16 in a volar, distal direction. Thisenables the user to better illuminate the target, e.g., surgical field.Each reflective element 88, 90 can be separate from or coupled to thelight source 16. The reflective elements 88, 90 can also be produced ofa material adapted to insulate the user's hand and/or the glove from theheat radiating from the lights source 16 (e.g., halogen light).

It should be noted that, because the discrete elements (e.g., 80, 82,84, 86, 88, 90) can be thin, uniform sheets, the discrete elements canbe included on any portion of the hand or any of the fingers, includingthe thumb and/or ring finger, without interfering with the surgeon'sability to manipulate surgical clamps or other surgical devices whilewearing the surgical gloves. Alternately, the thumb and/or ring fingerof the gloves can be free of both surgical systems and discreteelements. As will be appreciated, the heat shield 80 or any otherdiscrete element described herein can be incorporated into any of thegloves 12, 13 described herein.

Each of the conduits (42, 52, 60 and 68) can include a terminalinterconnect 148 as a proximal end of the conduit. As shown in FIGS. 1and 2, each of the terminal interconnects 148 can correspond to asupport interconnect 149 located as a distal end of a correspondingsupport conduit (43, 53, 61 and 69). As shown in FIG. 2, the conduits(42, 52, 60 and 68) can terminate in a combined terminal interconnect148 and the support conduits (43, 53, 61 and 69) can terminate in acombined support interconnect 149. The terminal interconnect(s) 148 canbe a male or female interconnect and the support interconnect(s) 149 canbe a complementary female or male interconnect.

Each of the conduits (42, 52, 60 and 68) can traverse amid-coronal planeof a finger of the surgical glove 12. Similarly, each of the conduits(42, 52, 60 and 68) can follow a linear isometric path along a finger ofthe glove. This is of great benefit as it allows the manufacture of asnug fitting surgical glove with the conduits embedded therein. Inaddition, it provides the surgeon with maximum dexterity while wearingthe surgical system 10, which is critical for delicate surgicalprocedures. If, as in the prior art, the conduits are positioned alongdorsal or volar surfaces of the glove, it is not possible to obtain thedesired fit and dexterity without risking separation of the conduit fromthe glove.

In some exemplary gloves, the first and second surgical systems 14 caninclude at least one irrigation port 22 and at least one suction port20, respectively, with a shunt 142 for controlling fluid flow betweenthe irrigation conduit 68 and the suction conduit 60. Such surgicalgloves can also include a third surgical system that includes a cuttingsource 18, an electrocautery conduit 52, and at least one of a cuttingswitch 56 and coagulation switch 58. The cutting switch 56 and/orcoagulation switch 58 can be attached to the same finger as the cuttingsource 18 and can be operable by a thumb of a human hand wearing thesurgical glove. Each of the surgical devices (18, 20 & 22) can beattached to an index finger, a long finger or a little finger of thesurgical glove 12.

Such a surgical glove 12 can also include a safety switch 140 forcontrolling the cutting source 18. The safety switch 140 can be coupledto, the glove 12 or a sleeve of the gown 30 at positions as describedherein. Such a surgical glove 12 can include a shunt 142 that operatesas described herein and can be coupled to the conduits 60, 68 or supportconduits 61, 69.

During use of the surgical system 10, a surgeon may use the varioussupport systems 14 to assist, in a surgical procedure. A surgeon may usethe surgical system 10 to use the electrical cautery 18. An exemplaryuse of the electrical cautery device 18 of the glove in FIGS. 7 & 8 isshown in FIG. 9 and described as follows. The index finger may be fullyextended at the inter-phalangeal joint and flexed about 45 degrees atthe metacarpal-phalangeal joint. The distal, volar aspect of the indexfinger may be proximate to or contacted against the surgical site. Thethumb may then be opposed to the index finger. A distal, volar, ulnaraspect of the thumb may be pressed against either the cutting switch 56or the coagulation switch 58, which are located on the radial aspect ofthe middle and proximal phalynx of the index finger of the surgicalglove 12. The inter-phalangeal and metacarpal-phalangeal joints of thelong finger can be flexed so that a radial aspect of the distal phalanxof the long finger can be pressed against the safety switch 140. Thesafety switch 140 can be located on the ulnar aspect of the middlephalanx. Applying pressure against the safety switch 140 and either thecutting switch 56 or the coagulation switch 58 may activate therespective function of the electrical cautery device 18. Release ofpressure on either switch (i.e., 140 or 56/58) may deactivate therespective function. The remaining fingers of the hand may be held in arelaxed fashion, flexed at the metacarpal-phalangeal joint and at theinter-phalangeal joint or some other position comfortable to the user.In such an embodiment, a light source 16 from a complementary glove 13can be used to provide illumination to a electrocautery site.

As will be apparent, similar movements of the thumb can be used toactivate the surgical systems 14 with switches on radial aspects of thefinger to which they are attached. In FIG. 1, additional exemplarysurgical system switches positioned on radial aspects of a fingerinclude the irrigation switch 70 and the suction switches 62, 64.

The light source control switch 48 can be positioned on an ulnar aspectof a finger to which the light source 16 is attached. As shown in FIG.5, the light source control switch 48 can be used by bending the longfinger 40 at the proximal inter-phalangeal joint 130 while extending thelong finger 40 at the distal inter-phalangeal joint 128. The distal,dorsal-ulnar aspect of the thumb 49 may then be opposed to the ulnaraspect of the middle phalanx 134 of the long finger 40 and pressedagainst the light source control switch 48. The switch 48 may beconfigured such that application of pressure by the thumb 49 causes thelight source 16 to be turned on. Application of pressure by the thumb 49may also turn the light source 16 off. Once activated, the light source16 can provide illumination to a designated location by pointing thefinger 38, 40 toward an area of interest. The same process may be usedfor light source control switches positioned on the index finger 38.

Although FIGS. 1-9 are depicted with respect to a right-handed glove, itshould be understood that any of the descriptions provided herein canapply equally to left-handed gloves. To facilitate the description ofleft-handed gloves, the positioning of all aspects of the surgicalsystem have been provided such that they are unambiguous regardless ofwhether they refer to a right-handed glove or a left-handed glove. Ofcourse, any and all of the surgical systems described herein can beattached to a right-handed glove or a left-handed glove. In someinstances, the surgical system can include both a right-handed glove anda left-handed clove.

Bilateral Surgical System

As shown in FIGS. 10-11, a bilateral surgical system that includesprimary and complementary gloves 12, 13 configured to be removablyattached to a pair of human hands is also described. FIG. 10 shows thevolar (FIG. 10A) and dorsal (FIG. 10B) views of an exemplaryright-handed surgical glove. FIG. 11 shows the volar (FIG. 11A) anddorsal (FIG. 11B) views of an exemplary left-handed surgical glove 13.Although not shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 it will be understood thatdiscrete elements 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90 can be incorporated into thegloves 12, 13 of the bilateral system in the same manner and positionsas are described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3.

The surgical glove system disclosed in the Schneider patents is aunilateral, single hand system, which requires support system activationby the same hand's thumb. Thus, gloves from the Schneider patents do notallow for the simultaneous use of more than one of integral surgicalsupport systems. This means that simultaneous use of suction withelectrical cautery, suction with irrigation, or spot illumination witheither electrical cautery, suction or irrigation is cannot occur withoutassistance from another member of the surgical team—likely usingconventional handheld devices. The novel bilateral devices describedherein provide efficient, user-friendly systems that eliminateentanglement reliably, and allow for simultaneous use and activation ofmore than one integral surgical support system. Thus, the bilateralsystems described herein are a substantial improvement over theunilateral systems described in the Schneider patents, which helpaddress some problems of the prior art without fully overcoming them.

It should be noted that the terms “primary” and “complementary” are usedbroadly to avoid confusion regarding the positioning of surgical systemsattached to the gloves. Thus, except where otherwise specified, both the“primary” and “complementary” gloves can be designed for either thedominant hand or the non-dominant hand of the user.

As shown in FIG. 10, the primary glove 12 can include a first surgicalsystem 14 coupled to a finger of the primary glove 12. The firstsurgical system 14 can include a first surgical instrument 17, a firstconduit 15 coupled to the primary glove, and a first switch (e.g., 48,56, 58) coupled to the primary glove 12. The first switch (e.g., 48, 56,58) can be for controlling the first surgical system 14 and can becoupled to a finger of the primary glove 12 to which the first surgicalsystem 14 is coupled.

As shown in FIG. 11, the complementary glove 13 can include a secondsurgical system 14 coupled to a finger of the complementary glove 13.The second surgical system 14 can include a second surgical instrument17, a second conduit 15 coupled to the complementary glove 13, and asecond switch (e.g., 48, 62, 64, 70) coupled to the complementary glove13. The second switch (e.g., 48, 62, 64, 70) can be for controlling thesecond surgical system 14 and can be coupled to a finger of thecomplementary glove 13 to which the second surgical system 14 iscoupled. The first and second surgical systems 14 can be different.

As shown in FIGS. 10 & 11, the first surgical system 14 can be coupledto an index finger, a long finger or a little finger of the primaryglove 12, and the second surgical system 14 can be coupled to an indexfinger, a long finger or a little finger of the complementary glove 13.The first and second conduits 15 can traverse a mid-coronal plane of afinger of the glove 12, 13 to which the first and second conduits 15 arecoupled. The thumb and ring finger of the primary glove 12, thecomplementary glove 13, or both, can be free of surgical systems 14.

As shown in FIG. 10, the bilateral surgical system can also include athird surgical system 14 coupled to the primary glove 12. The thirdsurgical system 14 can include a third surgical instrument 17, a thirdconduit 15 coupled to the primary glove 12, and a third switch (e.g.,48, 56, 58) coupled to the primary glove 12 for controlling the thirdsurgical system 14. The third surgical systems 14 can be coupled to anindex finger, a long finger or a little finger of the primary glove 12and the third switch (e.g., 48, 56, 58) can be coupled to a finger ofthe primary glove 12 to which the third surgical system 14 is coupled.

In bilateral surgical systems, such as that shown in FIGS. 10 & 11, thesurgical system 14 can include a cutting device 18 selected from atleast one electrical cautery source, at least one ultrasonic cuttingsurgical device, at least one ultrasonic coagulating surgical device ora combination thereof. The second surgical system 14 can include atleast one light source 16, at least one irrigation port 22, or at leastone suction port 20, and the third surgical system 14 can include atleast one light source 16.

As shown in FIG. 11, the second and fourth surgical systems 14 cancomprise at least one irrigation port 22 and at least one suction port20, respectively. A shunt 142 connecting the second conduit 68 and thefourth conduit 60 can be present either coupled to the glove 12, 13, asin FIG. 2, or coupled to the sleeve of a surgical gown, as shown inFIGS. 1 & 12, Consistent with the shunts 142 described herein, the shunt142 can be adapted for diverting the flow of liquid from the secondconduit 68 to the fourth conduit 60. The shunt 142 can direct the for ofliquid through the fourth conduit 60 toward the fourth surgicalinstrument 20, away from the fourth surgical instrument 20, or both,either simultaneously or alternately. This has the benefit that itallows the surgeon to clear an obstruction from the suction conduit 60or suction support conduit 61 without removing the glove 13 and withoutusing an external device (e.g., a brush or syringe) as is the commonpractice when using conventional suction lines. This is critical toavoiding significant delays because the surgeon needs to change glovesduring a procedure or physically clear the debris.

The shunt 142 can also include first and second T-valves 144, 146 influid communication with the irrigation conduit 68 and suction conduit60, respectively. The first T-valve 144 can be in fluid communicationwith the second T-valve 146. Each of the T-valves 144, 146 can include athree-way stopcock valve 145, 147. As shown in FIGS. 1 & 12, a firstportion of the shunt (e.g., 144) can be in-line with the irrigationsupport conduit 69 and a second portion of the shunt (e.g., 146) can bein-line with the suction support conduit 61. Alternately, as shown inFIG. 2, a first portion of the shunt (e.g., 144) can be in-line with theirrigation conduit 68 and a second portion of the shunt (e.g., 146) canbe in-line with the suction conduit 60.

In some bilateral surgical system, the complementary glove 13 caninclude a fourth surgical system 14. The fourth surgical system 14 caninclude a fourth surgical instrument 17, a fourth conduit 15 coupled toa finger of the complementary glove 13, and a switch (e.g., 48, 62, 64,70) for controlling the fourth surgical system 14. The fourth switch(e.g. 48, 62, 64, 70) can be coupled to a finger of the complementaryglove 13 to which the fourth surgical system 14 is coupled. The thumband ring finger of the complementary glove 13 can be free of surgicalsystems 14.

In such bilateral surgical systems, as shown in FIG. 10, the primaryglove 12 can include a first surgical system 14, such as a cuttingsource 18 selected from at least one electrical cautery source, at leastone ultrasonic cutting surgical device, and at least one ultrasoniccoagulating surgical device; and a third surgical system 14, such as atleast one light source 16. As shown in FIG. 11, the complimentary glove13 can include a second surgical system 14, such as at least one lightsource 16, at least one irrigation port 22, or at least one suction port20; a fourth surgical system 14, such as at least one light source 16,at least one irrigation port 22, or at least one suction port 20; and afifth surgical system 14, such as at least one light source 16.

In such surgical systems, the second and fourth surgical systems 14 canprovide different functions. For example, the second and fourth surgicalsystems can include at least one irrigation port 22 and at least onesuction port 20, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, a shunt 142 can bepositioned to controllably connect the second conduit (e.g., 68) and thefourth conduit (e.g., 60) or, as shown in FIGS. 1 & 12, the shunt 142can be positioned to controllably connect a second support conduit(e.g., 69) and a fourth support conduit (e.g., 61).

As shown in FIG. 13, any of the bilateral surgical systems describedherein can also include a surgical gown 30 formed from a body 74 adaptedto fit onto a torso of a human, first and second sleeves 76, 78extending from the body 74 and sized to extend from a shoulder of ahuman to a wrist of a human. The gown 30 can include a support system 32comprising first and second support conduits 34 for coupling to thefirst and second conduits 15, respectively. The first and second supportconduits 34 can be attached to first and second sleeves of the gown 76,78, respectively. The surgical gown 30 can include attachment devices 92on lateral aspects of forearm, upper arm, lateral shoulder, scapular,and lower lateral back areas of the surgical gown 30 to retain thesupport conduits 34 extending from the primary and complementary gloves12, 13, along an arm of a human, over a shoulder of the human, and alonga back of the human.

Each and every one of the surgical systems 14 can be attached to anindex finger, a long finger or a little finger of the surgical gloves12, 13. Similarly, as shown in the Figures, the thumb and the ringfinger of the surgical gloves 12, 13 can be free of all surgical systems14.

As shown in FIGS. 10 & 11, the surgical glove 12 can include a cuttingsystem that includes a cutting device 18, such as an electrocauterydevice, coupled to a distal, volar portion of an index finger. Theelectrocautery device 18 is coupled to an electrocuatery conduit 52,which is coupled to a cutting switch 56, a coagulation switch 58, and asafety switch 140. The electrocautery conduit 52 runs from theelectrocautery device 18 along the radial aspect of the index finger andthen onto a dorsal surface 150 of the metacarpals. The cutting switch 56and coagulation switch 58 can be located along radial portions of theindex finger. The electrocautery conduit 52 also includes a safetybranch 53 for the safety switch 140. The safety branch 53 of theelectrocautery conduit 52 can extend between the second and thirdmetacarpals and then along a dorsal or dorsal, volar aspect of the indexfinger. The safety switch 140 can be positioned along a dorsal aspect ofthe index finger proximate an intermediate or distal phalanx. Theelectrocautery conduit 52 can run along a dorsal-radial aspect of thesecond metacarpal and end in a terminal connection 148.

Alternately, as shown in FIG. 1, the safety switch 140 can be positionedalong a dorsal aspect of the second metacarpal. For example, along aradial, dorsal aspect of the second metacarpal.

As shown in FIG. 10, the surgical glove 12 can include at least onelight source 16. Each of the light sources 16 can be coupled to a lightsource conduit 42 and a light source control switch 48. The lightsource(s) 16 can be coupled to a distal or distal, dorsal aspect of theindex finger and/or long finger. The light source control switch 48 canbe located along an ulnar aspect of the index finger and/or long finger.The first light source conduit 42 can run from the light source 16 alongan ulnar aspect of the long finger and then onto a dorsal surface 150 ofthe metacarpals (e.g., a dorsal-ulnar aspect of the third metacarpal)and end in a terminal connection 148. Where applicable, the second lightsource conduit 42 can run from the light source 16 along an ulnar aspectof the index finger and then onto a dorsal surface 150 of themetacarpals (e.g., a dorsal-ulnar aspect of the second metacarpal) andend in a terminal connection 148. Generally, the second light source 16is reserved for embodiments, such as FIGS. 1-3, where the safety switch140 is not located on the index finger.

As shown in FIG. 11, the surgical glove 13 can include an irrigationsystem that includes an irrigation port 22 coupled to a distal ordistal, volar portion of a little finger of the surgical glove 13. Theirrigation port 22 can be coupled to an irrigation conduit 68 that iscoupled to an irrigation control switch 70. The irrigation conduit 68can run from the irrigation port 22 along the radial aspect of thelittle finger and then onto a dorsal surface 150 of the metacarpals. Theirrigation control switch 70 can be coupled to a radial aspect of thelittle finger. The irrigation conduit 22 can run along a dorsal-radialor dorsal-ulnar aspect of the fifth metacarpal and end in a terminalconnection 148.

The surgical glove 13 can include a suction system 20 that includes asuction port 20, coupled to a distal or distal, volar portion of a longfinger of the surgical glove 13. The suction port 20 can be coupled to asuction conduit 60 that is coupled to a suction port control switch 62and a suction control port 64. The suction conduit 60 can run from thesuction port 20 along the radial aspect of the long finger and then ontoa dorsal surface 150 of the metacarpals. The suction port control switch62 and the suction control port 64 can both be coupled to a radialaspect of the long finger. In particular, the suction conduit 20 can runalong a dorsal-radial aspect of the third metacarpal and end in aterminal connection 148.

As shown in FIG. 11, the surgical glove 13 can also include two lightsources 16. Each of the light sources 16 can be coupled to a lightsource conduit 42 and a light source control switch 48. The two lightsources 16 can be coupled to distal, or distal, dorsal aspects of theindex finger and the long finger, respectively. The light source controlswitch(es) 48 can be located along an ulnar portion of the index fingerand/or long finger. The first light source conduit 42 can run from thelight source 16 along an ulnar aspect of the index finger and then ontoa dorsal surface 150 of the metacarpals (e.g., a dorsal-ulnar aspect ofthe second metacarpal) and end in a terminal connection 148. The secondlight source conduit 42 can run from the light source 16 along an ulnaraspect of the long finger and then onto a dorsal surface 150 of themetacarpals (e.g., a dorsal-ulnar aspect of the third metacarpal) andend in a terminal connection 148.

FIG. 12 shows a second sleeve 78 of a gown 30 disclosed herein for usein connection with the complementary glove 13 shown in FIG. 11. Althoughlight source support conduits 43 would be present, as shown in FIG. 1,the connection system 32 of FIG. 12 only shows the irrigation supportconduit 69 and the suction support conduit 61 in order to more clearlyshow the shunt 142. The irrigation support conduit 69 and the suctionsupport conduit 61 can be in controlled fluid communication via theshunt 142. A first portion 144 of the shunt can be in-line with theirrigation support conduit 69, while a second portion 146 of the shuntcan be in-line with the suction support conduit 61 The first portion 144and the second portion 146 of the shunt 142 can each include a three-waystopcock valve (145 & 147, respectively) to control the flow of fluidthrough the shunt 142. The distal end of each support conduit 61, 69 caninclude a support connector 149 for coupling to the respective terminalconnector 148 at the proximal end of the conduit 15.

FIG. 13 shows a posterior view of an exemplary gown 30 for use inconnection with a bilateral surgical systems as described herein. Thegown 30 can include a first arm 76 and a second arm 78. Each of thesupport conduits (e.g., 43, 53, 61 & 69) runs along a back of the armand shoulder then along the lower back 90 of the gown 30 and canterminate at a distal support connector 154. The support conduits can besecured to the gown 30 by one or more attachment devices 92.

Method of Using Surgical Systems

The invention may also be directed to a method of performing a surgicalprocedure in which the need to retrieve surgical implements thatbeforehand were rested on the surgical field is eliminated. Inparticular, the method may include attaching a first surgical glove 12to a person conducting the surgical procedure before commencing thesurgical procedure. The person conducting the surgical procedure may be,but is not limited to being, a surgeon or other appropriate person. Atleast one surgical instrument 16, 18, 20, 22 may be attached to thefirst surgical glove 12 such that the at least one surgical instrument16, 18, 20, 22 extends proximate to a hand and at or distal to the wristof the person to which the first surgical glove 12 is attached. The atleast one surgical instrument 16, 18, 20, 22 may be nonremovablyattached to the glove 12 to prevent the at least one surgical instrument16, 18, 20, 22, 23 from being removed from the glove 12 during asurgical procedure. The first surgical glove 12 may remain attached tothe person throughout the surgical procedure eliminating need toretrieve surgical implements that beforehand were rested on the surgicalfield. For instance, the surgeon need not rest instruments on thesurgical field and constantly pick up the instruments or request theinstruments from an assistant. Rather, the instruments may remainattached to the surgeon throughout the duration of the surgery. Such amethod enables a surgeon to work more independently and thus maintainfocus on the surgical procedure.

The method may also include attaching a second surgical glove 13 to aperson conducting the surgical procedure before commencing the surgicalprocedure. The surgical instrument 16, 18, 20, 22 coupled to the gloves12, 13 may be at least one light source, at least one suction port, atleast one irrigation port, at least one electrical cautery source, atleast one ultrasonic cutting and coagulating surgical device, or otherappropriate device. The invention is not limited to only these listeddevices but may be configured to include other appropriate devices aswell to increase the efficiency of the surgical procedure.

Finally, the method also includes using some or all of the surgicalinstruments 17 by actuating some or all of the switches (e.g., 48, 56,58, 62, 64, 70 & 140) as part of performing a surgical procedure. Themethod can include simultaneously and synergistically using at least onesurgical instrument 17 on each glove 12 by actuating some or all of theswitches (e.g., 48, 56, 58, 62, 64, 70 & 140) The process can alsoinclude donning the surgical gown 30 and glove(s) 12, 13 and couplingsome or all of the terminal connectors 148 to the respective supportconnectors 149.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, anddescribing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptationsto these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art andmay be made without departing from the scope or spirit of thisinvention.

1. A surgical system, comprising: primary and complementary glovesconfigured to be removably attached to a pair of human hands, saidprimary glove for attachment to a first hand of a user comprising: afirst surgical system coupled to a finger of the primary glove, whereinthe first surgical system comprises a first surgical instrument and afirst conduit, and wherein the first conduit is coupled to the primaryglove, and a first switch coupled to the primary glove for controllingthe first surgical system, the first switch coupled to a finger of theprimary glove to which the first surgical system is coupled; and saidcomplementary dove for attachment to a second hand of a user comprising:a second surgical system coupled to a finger of the complementary glove,wherein the second surgical system comprises a second surgicalinstrument and a second conduit, and wherein the second conduit iscoupled to the complementary glove, and a second switch coupled to thecomplementary glove for controlling the second surgical system, thesecond switch coupled to a finger of the complementary glove to whichthe second surgical system is coupled, wherein the first and secondsurgical systems are different.
 2. The surgical system according toclaim 1, wherein the first surgical system coupled to an index finger, along finger or a little finger of the primary glove.
 3. The surgicalsystem according to claim 1, wherein the second surgical system iscoupled to an index finger, a long finger or a little finger of thecomplementary glove.
 4. The surgical system according to claim 1,wherein a thumb and ring finger of the primary glove, the complementaryglove, or both are free of surgical systems.
 5. The surgical systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a third surgical systemcoupled to the primary glove, wherein the third surgical systemcomprises a third surgical instrument and a third conduit, wherein thethird surgical systems is coupled to an index finger, a long finger or alittle finger of the primary glove; and a third switch coupled to theprimary glove for controlling the third surgical system, said thirdswitch coupled to a finger of the primary glove to which the thirdsurgical system is coupled.
 6. The surgical system according to claim 5,wherein: the first surgical system comprises at least one at least oneelectrical cautery source, at least one ultrasonic cutting surgicaldevice, or at least one ultrasonic coagulating surgical device, thesecond surgical system comprises at least one light source, at least oneirrigation port, or at least one suction port, and the third surgicalsystem comprises at least one light source.
 7. The surgical systemaccording to claim 5, further comprising: a fourth surgical systemcoupled to the complementary glove, wherein the fourth surgical systemcomprises a fourth surgical instrument and a fourth conduit, wherein thefourth surgical systems is coupled to a finger of the complementaryglove; and a fourth switch coupled to the complementary glove forcontrolling the fourth surgical system, said fourth switch coupled to afinger of the complementary glove to which the fourth surgical system iscoupled.
 8. The surgical system according to claim 7, wherein: the firstsurgical system comprises at least one electrical cautery source, atleast one ultrasonic cutting surgical device, or at least one ultrasoniccoagulating surgical device, the second surgical system comprises atleast one light source, at least one irrigation port, or at least onesuction port, the third surgical system comprises at least one lightsource, and the fourth surgical system comprises at least one lightsource, at least one irrigation port, or at least one suction port. 9.The surgical system according to claim 8, wherein the second and fourthsurgical systems comprise at least one irrigation port and at least onesuction port, respectively, said system further comprising a shunt forcontrolling fluid flow between said second conduit and said fourthconduit.
 10. The surgical system according to claim 5, wherein the firstand third surgical systems comprise at least one irrigation port and atleast one suction port, respectively, said system further comprising ashunt controlling fluid liquid between said first conduit and said thirdconduit.
 11. The surgical system according to claim 10, wherein saidshunt can direct the flow of liquid from said first conduit through saidthird conduit toward said third surgical instrument, away from saidthird surgical instrument, or both.
 12. The surgical system according toclaim 10, wherein said shunt comprises a first T-valve and a secondT-valve in fluid communication with said first and third conduits,respectively, wherein said first T-valve is in fluid communication saidsecond T-valve.
 13. The surgical system according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a fourth surgical system coupled to the complementary glove,wherein the fourth surgical system comprises a fourth surgicalinstrument and a fourth conduit, wherein the fourth surgical system iscoupled to a finger of the complementary glove with a thumb and ringfinger of the complementary glove free of surgical systems; and a fourthswitch coupled to the complementary glove for controlling the fourthsurgical system, said fourth switch coupled to a finger of thecomplementary glove to which the fourth surgical system is coupled. 14.The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein first surgical systemcomprises a cutting source selected from the group consisting of anelectrical cautery source, an ultrasonic cutting surgical device, and anultrasonic coagulating surgical device, said first surgical systemfurther comprising a safety switch for controlling the first surgicalsystem so that said first surgical system will not operate unless bothsaid first switch and said safety switch are actuated.
 15. The surgicalsystem according to claim 14, wherein said safety switch is positionedso that it cannot be actuated by a hand to which said primary glove isremovably attached.
 16. The surgical system according to claim 14,wherein said safety switch is attached to the primary glove proximate adorsal aspect of a metacarpal of a human hand wearing the primary glove.17. The surgical system according to claim 1, further comprising asurgical gown formed from a body adapted to fit onto a torso of a human,first and second sleeves extending from the body and sized to extendfrom a shoulder of a human to a hand of a human; and a support systemcomprising first and second support conduits for coupling to the firstand second conduits, respectively, wherein said first and second supportconduits are attached to first and second sleeves of said gown,respectively.
 18. The surgical system according to claim 17, furthercomprising: a third surgical system coupled to the primary glove,wherein the third surgical system comprises a third surgical instrumentand a third conduit, wherein the third surgical systems is coupled to anindex finger, a long finger or a little finger of the primary glove, anda thumb and ring finger of the primary glove are free of surgicalsystems; a third switch coupled to the primary glove for controlling thethird surgical system, said third switch coupled to a finger of theprimary glove to which the third surgical system is coupled; and a thirdsupport conduit coupled to a first arm of said surgical gown.
 19. Thesurgical system according to claim 18, wherein the first and thirdsurgical systems comprise at least one irrigation port and at least onesuction port, respectively; and said surgical system further comprises ashunt for controlling fluid flow between said first support conduit andsaid third support conduit.
 20. The surgical system according to claim19, wherein said shunt can direct the flow of liquid from said firstsupport conduit through said third support conduit toward said thirdsurgical instrument, away from said third surgical instrument, or both.21. The surgical system according to claim 1, further comprises a firstdiscrete element embedded in the glove, wherein said first discreteelement is adapted to support a surgical procedure.
 22. The surgicalsystem according to claim 1, wherein said first surgical instrument isan electrocautery source, and said system further comprises a heatshield coupled to said glove proximate said electrocautery tip toprevent injury to a hand wearing the glove.
 23. A method of performing asurgical procedure, comprising: providing a surgical system according toclaim 1; attaching the primary and complementary gloves to a personconducting a surgical procedure; and actuating the first and secondsurgical instruments as part of the surgical procedure performed by theperson.
 24. A surgical system, comprising: a glove configured to beremovably attached to a human hand, said glove comprising: a first andsecond surgical system attached to the glove, wherein the first surgicalsystem comprises a first surgical instrument and a first conduit,wherein the second surgical system comprises a second surgicalinstrument and a second conduit, wherein each of the first and secondsurgical systems are attached to an index finger, a long finger or alittle finger of said glove; a first switch attached to the glove forcontrolling the first surgical system, said first switch attached to afinger of the glove to which the first surgical system is attached; asecond switch attached to the glove for controlling the second surgicalsystem, said second switch attached to a finger of the glove to whichthe second surgical system is attached, and wherein the first and secondswitches are operable by a thumb of a human hand wearing the glove; and(i) a safety switch for controlling the first surgical system so thatsaid first surgical system will not operate unless both said firstswitch and said safety switch are actuated, or (ii) a shunt forcontrolling fluid flow between said first and second conduits.
 25. Thesurgical system according to claim 24, wherein the first and secondsurgical systems comprise at least one irrigation port and at least onesuction port, respectively, and said surgical system comprises saidshunt for controlling fluid flow between said first conduit to saidsecond conduit.
 26. The surgical system according to claim 24, whereinthe first surgical system comprises a cutting source, and said surgicalsystem comprises said safety switch for controlling the first surgicalsystem.
 27. The surgical system according to claim 26, wherein saidsafety switch is positioned so that it cannot be actuated by any fingerof a hand wearing said surgical glove.
 28. The surgical system accordingto claim 26, wherein said safety switch is positioned on an unlar aspectof the index finger of the glove.